Equipping the Church as a Caring Community

Prof. Dr. med. Samuel PfeiferEH Tabor Marburg

Klinik Sonnenhalde, Riehen

My background

» 25 years as medical director of a Christian psychiatric Clinic in Switzerland

» 5 year project in a psychiatric clinic in Bulgaria

» Regular visits in psychiatric institutions around the world

» Several visits to India / conferences on a «Christian view of mental health»(lectures on the web: www.psy77.com)

3

Introductory Bible Passages

» Isaiah 25:4» You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress,

a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.» Matthew 9:36-37

» Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited (harassed and helpless) like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.…

» 1. Thessalonians 5:14» And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and

disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

4

Mental Health problems – growing concern

» WHO: Depression is a hidden burden, affecting around 350 million people around the globe. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

» Patients tell their stories – in our hospitals, outpatient departments, at the church doors.

» Major Mental Health Problems: more than 10 % of the population

5

Topics in Global Mental

Health

6

Source: www.globalhealth.duke.edu

7

8

Psychiatry and despair

9

Mental Health – Four trumpets» WHO: Depression is a hidden burden, affecting

around 350 million people around the globe. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

» Patients tell their stories – in our hospitals, outpatient departments, at the church doors.

» Family and friends: almost every person knows at least one person who is affected with symptoms of depression

» The Bible records prayers and descriptions of depressive mood.

10

The multitude of the suffering is at our doors

Who are «the needy in their distress?» (Isaiah 25:4)

11

Suffering Souls – the needy of our time

12

Patients tell their stories

» Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.

» Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide.

13

14

There is no Health without Mental Health

Top health problems

Frequency of mental disorders

9

12.3

15.1

12.914.8

7.39.3 8.8

3.2

17.3

20.8

17.1

TotalMaleFemale

SUBST DEP ANX SOM

Ten leading causes of burden of disease, world, 2004 and 2030

DALY = Disability Adjusted Life Years (Lost)

General guidelines for mental problem

People with mental health problems are impaired in three areas:

» Inability to enjoy life» Inability to entertain social relationships» Inability to work or fulfil social roles

18

Cultural context of urban mental health

Shubanghi R. Parkar, GENDER AND THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF URBAN MENTAL HEALTH IN MUMBAI, Dissertation University of Basel 2003

Urban afflictions affecting men

Depression can darken the faith

» Research has shown that it is not faith that makes a person unhappy, but that the depressed mood may lead to difficulties in the religious life.

» Sad mood, loss of joy and interest.» Brooding and Doubt, unrest and a narrowing focus on

depressive ideas.» Self reproach, guilt feelings» Lack of energy, inability to decide » Anxiety leads to withdrawal from church and fellowship» Worry and lack of perspective» Irritability and hypersensitivity» Hopelessness and death wish

22

Like a dark cloud before the sun, depression can be a dark filter not only in daily life but also in the life of faith.

Depression can be treated!

We have a responsibility to reduce stigma and to help those who are suffering.

23

Seven Principles of Mental Health in a Christian Context

24

Chrstian Mental Health Care (CMHC) is COMPASSIONATE

» The most basic attitude of Jesus was compassion: » Matthew 9,36: He was moved

» When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NIV)

» 35-37 - Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.“ (The Message)

25

1

CMHC has to be PROFESSIONAL

» Although this is probably an emphasis of our time, there are Biblical hints to this.» After having healed a group of lepers, Jesus ordered

them to consult the professionals of their time. (Luke 5:15; Luke 17:14)

» Ethical guidelines --- professionalism along accepted guidelines (DSM-Diagnosis, APA Treatment Guidelines, Medications)

» However, leaving out religious and culturally sensitive aspects, would be unprofessional as well.

26

2

Professional Issues

» Medical interest, knowledge and continuing education.» Having a model of disease and healing.» Having a model of supportive treatment in chronic illness.» Integrating Psychiatry and Theology on an academic and

professional level.» Boundaries: The problem of professional sexual misconduct;

acknowledging your own limitations (“He grants peace to your borders” – Psalm 147,14).

The bio-psycho-social model of treatment

B I O

Brain

Body functions

P S Y C H O

ThinkingFeelingBehavior

S O C I A L

STRESSSTRESS

FamilySchoolJobCommunityCulture

1234

Talking

Support

Activation

Medication

The bio-psycho-social model of treatment

B I O

Brain

Body functions

P S Y C H O

ThinkingFeelingBehavior

S O C I A L

STRESSSTRESS

FamilySchoolJobCommunityCulture

4

1

3 2

Where is spirituality coming in?

BIO SOZIAL

PSYCHO

SPIRITUALITY

BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL MATRIX

Emotions - ThinkingVolition – BehaviorCoping - Defense

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Factors contributing to Mental Illness

Childhood, Family LifeTrauma, Life events

„Stress“

SOCIAL ASPECTSGenetics, Personality

NeurobiologyPhysical Constitution

BIOLOGICAL

MentalProblems

BurdenHardships

TrialsTemptation

Gal 6,22. Cor 6,41. Peter 1,61. Cor 10,13

Weakness2. Cor 12,9

Way of Life (Eph 4,22)Mind (Rom 8,6; 12,2)

Therapeutic avenues

Attention, Empathy,Understanding,

CounsellingComfort, Encouragement

Teaching

T A L K I N G

Visiting - HelpingAktivation – Enabling

betterautonomy

S U P P O R TAntidepressants, Neuroleptics, Mood

Stabil.Tranquilizer etc.

M E D I C A T I O N

Patient

Proberbs 16,24; 18,211. Thessalonians 5,15

Hebrews 10,24-25

Isaiah38,21J. Sirach 38,1-81. Timothy 5,23

Galatians 6,2Matthew 25,35-40

Proverbs 3,27

1. Thessalonians 5:14

1. Exhort

2. comfort, encourage

3. support, help

4. Be patient

ATACTOS idle, unrulyATACTOS idle, unruly

Anxious, timidAnxious, timid

The weakThe weak

everyoneeveryone

Four Biblical Strategies

Admonish, Exhort, Correct - ATACTOS

» Life Style influences health» Mental Health is influenced by wrong behavior patterns,

e.g. alcohol, violence, wrong thinking» We need programs to help people get away from substance

abuse.» Marriage Encounter – Teaching foundations of a good relationship

and family life» Teaching Biblical Values

34

3

Comfort, encourage, reassure

» Whom? – The anxious, the depressed, the suffering, those who are mourning etc.

» God is also a God of Comfort (2. Cor. 1)

» Good words are a balm for the soul

» Encouraging a person can help to bring out the best in her and motivate her to go on despite the burdens of life

35

4

Support the Weak

» Who are the weak in mental health?

» Those who cannot change despite their efforts and good desires

» A biblical concept of WEAKNESS in relation to the Mental Health concept of VULNERABILITY, of psycho-social burden, of disability through chronic mental health disorders (DALY)

36

5

Support the Weak

» Biblical emphasis of WEAKNESS

» 2. Corinthians 12:11» 2. Corinthians 4:6-10

» Isaiah 42:1-4: bruised reed, smoldering wick

37

5

PATIENCE

» We should be patient WITH ALL PEOPLE

» Giving them time to change, to heal, to mature into the image of God

» Colossians 1:11: «being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”

» In our world of fast internet connections and instant solutions – mental problems take their time

38

6

HOPE and MEANING in trouble

» God is a God of HopeIsaiah 43:1-4

» Hope in mental health services» Spiritual aspects of hope and meaning (Victor Frankl)» False ways to find hope (superstition, over-reliance on medicine /

other people)» The use of hopelessness – acceptance of weakness

39

7

The church has resources to care

Together with Christian professionals, the church can offer couselling and care

40

EHA task force «Mental Health»

Project reports

Community Mental Health

» Very few professional psychiatrists

» Alternative avenue: Training social workers and nursing staff as well as counselors to recognize mental illness

» Offering basic possibilities of treatment and counseling

DR. KAAREN MATHIAS, MUSSOORI

Excellent Training Material

44

Available from:

www.basicneeds.org

Depression can be treated

STRESSSTRESS

Thinking

Body

4

1

3

2

1

2

3

4

Talking

Support

Activation

Medication

Where is the church coming in?

Counselling? Care?

An innovative project in India

46

EHA-Project in Bijnor, UP, India:

• Identifying Patients in the context of Primary Health Outreach

• Taking them together and riding on a train to the next Mental hospital

• Receiving prescription for medications

• Follow-up in the community

Faith as a source of strength in depression

» Despite despair, doubt and lack of energy» Bible verses and Christian songs» Encouragement by fellow Christians

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the desert valley, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength . . . (Psalm 84)

Saddleback Church Program of Mental Health

C - CareH - HelpU - Unleash VolonteersR - Reach outC - CooperationH - Hope

48

Conclusions

» 1. We should be open for a deep personal awareness of human suffering beyond all categorical and theoretical considerations, moving us to compassion and motivating us to find new ways for creative caring.

» 2. We should be aware of new developments in our field, able to communicate with the world, to examine the philosophical underpinnings, critically evaluating what we can apply in our everyday practice.

Conclusions ctd.

» 3. We should be guided by the Word of God as an eternal source of wisdom and truth, practicing an exegesis that applies to the burdens, the questions and the spiritual hunger of our patients.

» 4. We should be guided by the principle of hope, hope which is not only rooted in the prospect of restored health, but hope in the midst of existential weakness, hope which is not only based on well-being in this world but hope that goes beyond all that our limited activity can achieve.

God’s changing power: Meena

» Heavy burns after suicide attempt

» The love of Christian doctors» Changed perspectives» A new ministry

www.psy77.com

More Presentations on Global Mental Health in a Christian Context

52